A wrong-way driver racing along Glendale Avenue triggered two crashes that left one person dead and at least four others injured, according to Glendale police. The back-to-back wrecks along the busy corridor also sent a Glendale patrol officer to the hospital after his cruiser collided with a pickup during an attempt to stop the suspect. Investigators are still sorting out what led to the chaos, and the suspect's identity has not been released.
According to FOX 10 Phoenix, officers were chasing a white sedan that had been driving the wrong way in the westbound lanes of Glendale Avenue when the pursuit reached the 5700 block of West Glendale Avenue. As the sedan went through 56th Avenue, the pursuing officer's patrol car slammed into a northbound pickup. Both the truck driver and the officer were taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
How the crashes unfolded
The erratic driver then hit another vehicle at the 5100 block of West Glendale Avenue, FOX 10 reports. The impact killed the passenger in that second car and seriously injured its driver. Glendale police said the wrong-way driver also suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect's identity remains unknown, and investigators have not yet said whether they believe impairment was a factor.
Why wrong-way crashes are so dangerous
Wrong-way driving often leads to high-speed, head-on collisions that are far more likely to be deadly than a typical crash. Recent reviews of AAA and state data have found that both the number and fatality rate of wrong-way crashes have climbed in Arizona and across the country in recent years. In response, the Arizona Department of Transportation has invested in detection tools, including thermal cameras and illuminated "Wrong Way" signs, to catch and alert wrong-way drivers as quickly as possible.
Investigation and how to help
Glendale police say the investigation remains active. The department has not released the suspect's name and is asking anyone with video or information about the crashes to reach out to its media relations team. The city's media contacts list Sgt. Bryan Hoskin and other public information officers, and the department's 24/7 on-call line at 623-257-0382 is open for tips. You can find the current roster of contacts through the city's Glendale media contacts page.
Traffic along Glendale Avenue was heavily affected while officers investigated both crash scenes. Police have not yet said what charges the wrong-way driver could face. This story will be updated as Glendale police release more details.
